escalator

Travel vlogger Collin Abroadcasting took his astounded viewers on a journey up the “very unique” 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong

A travel vlogger who has showcased the longest outdoor escalator system in the world has pointed out one major catch to anyone hoping to try it for themselves. Collin Abroadcasting gave his viewers an insight into the 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong, a special administrative region in China.

Comprised of walkways, 16 escalators and three travelators, the system, designed to help people navigate the steep landscape of the region’s central business district, provided 99,000 trips each day, as of late January 2024, according to the Hong Kong Transport Department.

Launched in 1993, costing a reported $30 million (£22.4m) and intersecting more than a dozen streets, the Central–Mid-Levels begins at Queen’s Road Central, linking to the Central Market Flyover, weaving past Central and up to Conduit Road.

For Collin’s video, however, it seems to be all about the “unique perspective” of Hong Kong that the Central–Mid-Levels offers to those who take advantage of this jaw-dropping public transportation system.

Collin said: “Today, we’re out here in Hong Kong, and right now, we’re going to this very unique style of public transportation, and what I mean by that is escalator ride that lasts for like 20 to 30 minutes.”

As he ascended the initial stair section leading to the escalators, Collin pointed out that it was “really fun” to use the system, highlighting the sights and how it offered a “unique perspective” of Hong Kong.

He also noted that, despite its reputation for being the world’s longest, the system isn’t just a single escalator, but a “huge walkway”, before pointing out a major catch.

Collin added: “And one thing about this, though, is if you go up, there’s no escalator down. So, if you’re going up to experience it, prepare to be walking down, and it is a quite a long way, but I think you’ll get down faster than you’ll get up.”

He proceeded to show the winding system’s respective levels, at one point highlighting a fare-saver machine that offers people a two-dollar discount, as pedestrians went about their business behind him.

As he rode the escalator ever upwards, shops and restaurants could be seen on either side of him, with junctures that had intersecting streets breaking up the journey.

Upon arriving at the top, Collin explained that, from there, you would need to take a 25-minute walk to access the tram to Victoria Peak, a must-see destination offering breathtaking views of Hong Kong.

The majority of the escalators feature just one reversible track that switches direction “following the prevailing direction of pedestrian flow during the day”, reports CNN.

Interestingly, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator system has also featured in famous films; the travelator nearest Hollywood Road made an appearance in Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 flick, Chungking Express.

Superhero fans may also be interested to learn that it appeared in Christopher Nolan’s 1998 Batman entry, The Dark Knight.